Engineering Management, Professional Science M.S.

The Engineering Management M.S. was created to provide engineers, scientists, and
technicians with the business and management tools needed for leadership positions
in manufacuring and industry. Designed for working professionals, the program can
be completed on a part-time basis over two years; classes are held primarily in the
evening and many online. The program helps equip students with skills (including project management, Six Sigma, and lean manufacturing) to implement and manage competitive process innovations and product development.
Graduates should interact comfortably and intelligently with engineers and business
leaders through developing the skill set of both.

The Engineering Management M.S. is a Master of Science in Professional Science degree,
which consists of advanced science courses, business management courses, and a capstone
internship.

Grad moves into process engineer position after program

David O’Brien, among initial graduates of the Engineering Management M.S. program
(June 2014), now works as a process engineer at Feintool Tennessee. O'Brien develops
and implements protocol for the plant-wide continuous improvement program; analyzes
current production processes at micro and macro scales; utilizes principles and practices
from Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen to streamline workflow; and designs and procures
tools that enhance workflow, reduce waste, and increase product quality. His background
includes regulatory compliance, project management, and technical training. O'Brien
worked as a Siemens Healthcare process engineer during a 10-month internship, and
also as a graduate assistant for MTSU’s experimental vehicles program. "In addition
to the program curriculum, experiences gained through the graduate assistantships
and internship presented opportunities to further develop skills that are now adding
value at my company," he says. O'Brien, who earlier studied Environmental Science
(B.S., 2012) at MTSU, also served as president of the Graduate Student Association.

Advisory board members making mark in industry

MTSU’s eight Engineering Management advisory board members earned degrees under other
programs supervised by professor and former graduate director Dr. Greg Sedrick. The
MTSU program is the third in Tennessee started by Sedrick, the first licensed professional
engineer in the U.S. under EM. Mike Ingram’s 27-year-old TVA career was boosted into
project/program and senior management after adding his EM master’s (UT-Chattanooga)
to his electrical engineering bachelor’s (Auburn). “Emphasizing my analytical skills
and broadening my business understanding, the degree was a perfect fit for me,” he
says. Mike Holman works in the aerospace and defense sector as Coleman Aerospace acting
vice president of engineering and as director of safety, mission assurance, and information.
He earned Engineering Management certification (UT Space Institute) after bachelor’s
and master’s in mechanical engineering (University of Utah). “Engineering management,
recognized as a fast-growing discipline that transitions highly technical people into
leadership roles, was seen as better suited than a typical business degree,” Holman
says.

Graduates go to work in a wide variety of positions in technology-based companies,
governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and consulting firms. Engineering
managers are hired by virtually every major corporation in the world. The national
average starting salary is $77,467 for EM master’s graduates. Engineering management
master’s programs boost careers by helping train students to solve complex problems;
utilize basic finance, accounting, economics, and risk analysis methods; provide competent
leadership and develop the skills and abilities of teams and individuals within a
company; communicate effectively; and understand the societal, ethical, cultural,
legal, and political issues that are prevalent in today's global society. A sample
listing of career fields from the American Society for Engineering (Sedrick led the
team to create the list):

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences offers the Masters of Science with a major in Professional Science (M.S.) with six concentrations: Actuarial Sciences, Biostatistics, Biotechnology, Engineering Management, Geosciences, and Health Care Informatics.

Curriculum: Professional Science, Engineering Management

Core Courses (15 hours)

ACTG 6100 - Accounting and Legal Issues for Managers

3 credit hours

Surveys accounting skills and legal perspectives necessary for managers without undergraduate business degrees to enter the businessworld. Will not meet the requirements for the M.S. in Information Systems, M.Acc. in Accounting, or the M.B.A. degree programs.

BCED 6820 - Managerial Communication

3 credit hours

Analysis of communication theory and communication processes with emphasis on development of executive communication skills essential for understanding organizational processes from a holistic perspective. Covers organizational theory, behavior, and interpersonal communication from both a domestic and global perspective.

MGMT 6740 - Leadership and Motivation

3 credit hours

Issues in leadership and motivation in business organizations. An examination of the theoretical framework for leadership and motivation processes serves as foundation. Emphasis on practical issues and applications of leadership development and motivation.

STAT 5140 - Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in the Master of Science in Professional Sciences program; graduate level. Focuses on probability and statistics concepts. Topics include binomial and normal probabilistic modeling; important statistical concepts such as confounding, randomization, sampling variability and significance; statistical testing of significant differences and associations; and design experiments to test research hypotheses.

ET 6190 - Six Sigma

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: MATH 1530 or equivalent or consent of instructor. The Six Sigma methodology is defined as a comprehensive and flexible system for achieving, sustaining, and maximizing business success. Through class instruction, simulations, and hands-on projects, students will be able to identify and focus on customers' critical-to-quality (CTQ) characteristics and solve problems using the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) process and its associated tools. A Green Belt certification will be awarded upon successful completion of an industry/business Green Belt project.

ET 6390 - Productivity Strategies/Lean Systems

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and ET 3910 or consent of instructor. Topics include the human element (supervisory and teamwork skills), the theoretical aspect (laws and science covering service and production systems), and the practical aspect (tools for lean operational systems implementation). Theoretical and practical methods needed to complete a required industry/business project and obtain a certification in Lean Manufacturing.

ET 6870 - Engineering Management Systems

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Advanced topics related to engineering management systems with a focus on innovation implementation for technical products, technical processes, and for business models in a technical environment. Implementation strategies integrating current and emerging technologies into manufacturing, health care and service industries. Components needed for the construction of new venture business plans to create new technology businesses and jobs.

ET 6810 - Engineering Management Theory and Application

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Theories, concepts, and applications from the engineering management body of knowledge (EMBOK) for technical, healthcare, and service industries. EMBOK topics covered defined in the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) Guide to the EMBOK and include leadership in technical, healthcare, and service industries; strategic planning in a technical environment; financial resource management in the technical environment; technical project management; operations and supply chain management; technical managers' role in marketing and sales; legal issues in engineering management; professional ethics and responsibilities in a technical environment; product and process development; systems engineering; technical management of research and development; and sustainability engineering.

Middle Tennessee State University, in its educational programs and activities involving students and employees, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran or genetic information. For more information see Middle Tennessee State University. | Nondiscrimination Policy